Send Oysters Back At A Restaurant If You Notice This Red Flag
Oysters are a nutritious, refreshing, and indulgent food. You either love or hate the slick shelled mollusks, but even the biggest of oyster fans knows that not all are created equal. We asked chef Russell Kook of The Bellevue Chicago what to look out for when ordering oysters at a restaurant. Kook has lead kitchens at iconic metropolitan Midwest steakhouses like Chicago Cut, Hugo's Frog & Fish Bar, and Gibson's Steak House. All of these Chicago institutions are known for serving some of the best quality seafood in the city, so chef Kook knows how to identify a good oyster.
So, what does he say is the easiest way to spot a red flag when ordering oysters at a restaurant? Smell them. Kook explains, "Freshness is everything. Oysters and scallops should smell clean and briny, like the ocean—not fishy or like ammonia." Consuming an oyster that has gone bad, or isn't fresh could cause serious illness, "If anything smells off, don't hesitate to send it back," says Kook. Sending back food can certainly be uncomfortable, but it's not worth the risk to consume an off-smelling oyster. Politely let your server know that you suspect the oysters may not be safe to consume and why, and don't be rude about it. It's part of the risk of consuming any raw food, and your server should be more than happy to resolve the issue for you.
How to spot a great oyster and what to do with it
If you're shopping for oysters to prepare at home, or you just want to learn more about how to identify the highest-quality oysters, the first thing you'll want to look for is, like Kook says, freshness. Again, your sense of smell is your first line of defense when it comes to spotting seafood that's gone bad. Visually inspect the oysters, too, to make sure the shells aren't cracked or slightly open. After carefully and successfully shucking the oysters, keep an eye out for cloudy or discolored tissue inside. If your oyster passes the inspection, proceed with preparing them.
A delicious, fresh oyster is best kept simple so that you can enjoy the mild flavors. Add a zing without clouding the soft flavors of the oyster with a little bit of kimchi. A refreshing and vinegary mignonette and a squeeze of lemon is a classic way to spruce up fresh, raw oysters. In fact, because of their mild flavor, oysters can be easily dressed up with all kinds of fresh toppings.